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Sustainable
Options
Pest Plant Control
Pampas (Cortaderia jubata and Cortaderia selloana)
Introduction
Pampas is a tall perennial
tussock grass, which forms large
clumps. Two species have been
introduced to New Zealand:
Cortaderia jubata and Cortaderia
selloana, both are invasive weeds.
Pampas has become common
throughout the Bay of Plenty
in a wide range of habitats,
including roadsides, waste areas,
cliffs, coastal areas, riverbanks
and forest margins. It competes
with native vegetation and
provides habitat for rats, mice,
possums and rabbits; and the
build up of dead leaves inside
the clumps is a fire hazard.
The pest plant pampas should
not be confused with the native
species of Cortaderia called
Toetoe (see differences at the end
of this fact sheet).
It has also been used as an
ornamental plant. It is now well
established throughout the North
Island and northern parts of the
South Island.
metres. It flowers from February
to March. Unusually, all flowers
are female and set seed without
the need for pollination.
Invasion
Pampas plants are able to
produce up to 100,000 seeds
per flowerhead. The seeds are
very small and dispersed over
long distances by wind. They will
generally only establish on bare
or disturbed ground and do not
survive long in the soil. Pampas
competes very successfully with
other vegetation and develops
into dense colonies on suitable
sites. It is able to tolerate dry,
moist and saline conditions.
It is also a problem in plantation
forests where it impedes forest
management activities.
Control Methods
Pest Plant Status
In the Bay of Plenty region, both
species of pampas are classified
as Regional Surveillance Pest
Plants. (Refer Environment
Bay of Plenty’s Regional Pest
Management Strategy.)
Land occupiers are not required
to control pampas but are
encouraged to do so and
may receive assistance from
Environment Bay of Plenty by
way of approved programmes.
Pampas is banned from sale,
propagation and distribution in
New Zealand.
Origin
Pampas is a native of South
America and was introduced
to New Zealand as a shelter
plant and as a source of fodder
for stock.
Pampas(Cortaderia jubata)
Description
Both species of pampas are
similar in appearance, with dark
green, sharp, drooping leaf
blades up to two metres long
in large clumps. The feathery
flowers are borne on long erect
stalks and are variably coloured
from creamy white to violet,
drying to a dirty brown.
C. selloana is more common
in most areas. Its flower heads
can reach a height of six metres.
It flowers from March to late
May and has either female or
hermaphrodite (male and female)
flowers. Female plants are
pollinated by the hermaphrodite
plants.
C. jubata is smaller, with
flowerheads reaching three
When working amongst
pampas plants, it is wise to wear
protective clothing, including
gloves, as the finely serrated
edges of the leaves can inflict
severe cuts to the skin. Before
any control is attempted, make
sure you have identified the plant
carefully and that it is not one of
the native species.
Manual
Pulling
Small plants can be pulled or
dug out, ensuring that all the root
crown is removed. Dispose of the
plants safely, either by burning or
in an approved landfill.
Burning
Owing to the large amount of
dead material that accumulates
inside the clumps, large pampas
plants burn readily. However,
re-growth may occur, which may
then be sprayed while still small.
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20
Sustainable Options
Pest Plant Control
Care must be taken when
burning to avoid fire spreading.
Always obtain a fire permit from
the local authority beforehand.
•
Gallant NF®
Knapsack: Use 150 ml /
10 litres water plus 50 ml
Uptake crop oil.
Handgun: Use 500 ml /
100 litres water plus 500 ml
Uptake crop oil.
•
Glyphosate (e.g. Roundup®):
Knapsack: Use 100 ml /
10 litres water.
Handgun: Use 1 litre / 100
litres water. Ensure complete
wetting of the foliage.
Herbicide
Herbicides that effectively control
grasses will generally control
pampas.
•
Velpar 20G® (granules)
Use a granule applicator to
apply about 3 grams to the
ground around the plant.
Use with caution: as Velpar
remains active in the soil for
a long time and it may be
leached into the root zone
of nearby desirable plants,
especially those downslope.
20
CAUTION: When using
any herbicide READ THE
LABEL thoroughly. Follow
all instructions and safety
requirements.
Toetoe
There are three species of native toetoe, which are common in the Bay of Plenty:
Cortaderia toetoe, C. splendens, and C. fulvida. Toetoe belong to the same family,
Cortaderia, as pampas. Toetoe have a similar habitat range to that of pampas so they
can be easily confused.
Differing characteristics of pampas and toetoe
Pampas flower between February and May.
Toetoe flower between October and
February.
Pampas have erect flower stalks.
Toetoe often, but not always, have
drooping flower stalks and flower heads.
Pampas flowers range in colour from
creamy white to violet.
Toetoe flowers are a light, golden yellow.
Pampas have smooth or slightly hairy
leaf bases.
Toetoe have leaf bases with a white,
waxy surface.
Pampas leaves have indistinct secondary
veins but a prominent midrib.
Toetoe leaves have distinct secondary
veins between the midrib and the leaf edge.
Pampas leaves curl into spirals as they die.
Toetoe leaves droop as they die.
Pampas (Cortaderia jubata
and Cortaderia selloana)
New Zealand native Toetoe (Cortaderia fulvida)
Information in this fact sheet
regarding herbicides does
not necessarily appear on
the labels of the products
concerned.
Environment Bay of Plenty
does not accept liability for
any damage that may arise
from use of chemicals at non
standard rates. Mention of
product trade names implies
neither endorsement of those
products nor criticism of similar
products not mentioned.
For further information and advice, contact
your local pest plant officer at Environment
Bay of Plenty:
Telephone: 0800 ENV BOP (368 267)
Facsimile: 0800 ENV FAX (368 329)
Pollution Hotline: 0800 73 83 93
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.envbop.govt.nz
Address: 5 Quay Street, P O Box 364,
Whakatane, New Zealand
Leaf blades of pampas (left) and toetoe
(right). Note the fine secondary veins parallel
to the midrib which are a characteristic
feature of toetoe.
Leaf bases of pampas (left) and toetoe
(right). Note the white, waxy surface on
the leaf bases of all the native species
but not pampas.
This fact sheet was prepared by Environment
Bay of Plenty’s Pest Plant Section
This fact sheet was last updated January 2005
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